Reflections From Sunday Evening

I am tempted to write about sports today.  The Royals are finishing up the end of an era.  The last five years have been really good for baseball in K.C.  But now it is time to move into the off season and see what it looks like on March 29, 2018.  But I don't want to write about sports today.
Maybe a little more about sports...In the old, old days when the Chiefs were as good as any team in football they had a transition time with their roster.  In the 1970's they went with loyalty and held on to some great veterans who made the Chiefs the great team they were.  And they ended up with decades of futility for it.  There comes a time to say thank you and move into the next phase.
One more thing about sports.  Russell Westbrook signed a 205 million dollar contract to play basketball.  That is all.
That is enough sports.
Oh yes, one more thing.  NW Missouri had an amazing comeback win to stay undefeated. 
One more thing...Baker is undefeated at 6-0.  In case you had been wondering.
That really is enough.
Surely there is a transition to faith in this somewhere.  Perhaps the lesson lies in "turn the page".  God's mercies are fresh every morning.  Turn the page.
The Resurrection of Jesus makes every day a new possibility filled with hope.  Turn the page.
The faith is always moving with growth and depth of insight.  Turn the page.
The Church is always on the move.  Turn the page.
There is no resting on past success or victory.  Turn the page.
The possibility of reaching a new person for Jesus Christ propels us forward.  Turn the page.
So there you have it.  Sports, faith, church.
Turn the page.  The story of your life and your church and your faith continues to be written.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Christians need to practice.  We need to practice what to do when times are dire.  Luke 21 gives us directions.  Here is how Luke paints the picture of troubled times.
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.  On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28)
These are good directions for every age during the Christian era.  These are good directions for us today.
Rather than me make some long list of all the things that cause fear and anxiety today, I will let you make your own.  Let me remind you what followers of Jesus do in times like this.
When everything seems to be shaking all around us...
When one crisis follows another...
When we are worried...anxious...fearful.
Stand up!  These are not times to shirk our call to follow Jesus.
Lift up your heads!  These days calls for courageous faith.
Your redemption is drawing near!  God seems to move most powerfully when things seem most discouraging.  God will not leave us adrift. 
What will you do to Stand up, lift your heads, watch your Redeemer draw near?
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
Steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

The week that was...
This past week my brother's daughter Rachel gave birth to their first child.  Welcome to the world Charlie Myers!
Later Cindy and I attended the funeral for one year old Jane Weber.  Her family has been dear to us for decades.
The back and forth of life continues.  Joy - sorrow - joy.
A week ago we were talking about the hurricanes in Florida and saying prayers for the people in the path.  A week later that becomes old news.  But here is the difference.  The Church is in this for the long haul.  The media moves on.  We help people re-build life.
This is one of the amazing things about the people of God.  We just don't quit.  We rejoice with those who rejoice.  We mourn with those who mourn.  We give thanks with those who are grateful.  We support those in need.  We bless those living in faith.  We encourage those in doubt.  We just don't quit.
We don't quit because God won't quit.  Whatever your week has brought (or might bring) God is powerfully present.  Our is a God who saves, redeems, empowers - always.  We, the people of God - the Church - are God's instruments of choice for witness and service in the world.  So, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we won't quit.
It's been a good day.  I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Seasons.  Baseball season is winding down with its 'second season', the playoffs, coming soon.
Football season is just getting under way.  Chiefs may be interesting this year.
When those of my generation were growing up we played the games during their season.  We seemed to cycle through each year as we grew up.  We continue thinking in terms of "seasons".
We understand that life has seasons.
There are seasons in the Church year.
With this in mind I have a difficult time relating to today's year round sports.  It seems that at an early age kids are expected to choose what they will do.  Then they do one thing all year.
Maybe that is the way to do things.  It is hard to argue with focusing on something and staying with it.  It is a good way to get really good at something.
But I appreciate the ways things were.  We didn't even have organized sports until nearly junior high.  We would just get together and go play.
Now here it comes - the application.
Are there seasons in the Christian life?  Are we meant to be totally focused on one aspect of the life of faith and become proficient?  Or is there a rhythm to the Christian life?  Are there seasons of preparation and seasons of serving?  Are there seasons of discovery and seasons of giving?  Are there seasons where prayer is a learning focus?  Are there seasons where we get acquainted with evangelism?
I really do not have a definitive answer to my questions.  But I am going to lean toward various seasons of Christian faith where we move from day to day, and season to season, being formed by the Spirit.
I wonder what season you are in?
It's been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

I have been reading a devotion on faith.  It consists of a series of scriptures talking about faith.  You read and reflect.  Something strikes me about this whole idea of praying in faith.  Evidently when we pray and believe something happens!  I believe that.  I have believed that for a long time.  The problem is my experience does not always match up with the circumstances.
For instance, when I read a passage like Mark 11:22-25 I hear Jesus instructing his followers "to not doubt in their hearts but believe what they say will happen", and it will be done for them.
Mark 11:24 is one of those verses we read and "want" to believe but it seems to be in contrast to reality.  "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Frankly I have been praying for a long time.  This, and verses like it, are in my heart and mind.  But sometimes when I ask God for something He seems silent.  Is it me?  Am I doing something wrong?  Some teachers will place blame on the person praying when a request for healing goes unanswered.  That is bad teaching. (in my opinion)  So what do we do?
My question to myself is "how do I go from 'wondering why' to 'will'"?
When I pray how do I go from wondering why this verse is in the Bible?
How do I go from wondering why I am told to ask in this manner?
How do I go from wondering why God seems silent?
How do I go from wondering why the prayer seems unanswered?
How do I go from wondering why the scripture says this but the answer seems elusive?
I could go on with my wondering why.
How do I find myself with a mindset of "will"?
God will hear our prayers.
God will answer our prayers.
God will move in our lives.
God will.  God will.  God will.
Oh, if you have read this and are expecting an answer, sorry.  I'm just sharing where I am in my prayer life at this point.  I have witnessed lots of prayers answered.  Many of them have come over a long period of time.  Many have required deeper reflection to see where God has been working.  But I still wonder.
It's been a good day.
I hope you've had a good day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Some things that make a Senior Pastor feel great...
An associate who preaches the Word in a meaningful and effective way for an August series.  Thanks Jacob Schneider!
An associate pastor who takes a huge step forward in development of Care Ministries that is including more people than we could have dreamed.  Thank you Nancy Liston!
An administrative staff that keeps the church running day after day in a most gracious way.  Thank you Lori Bogart!
A Director of Student Ministries who got in the baptismal and baptized his first convert today. Blessings Henry and thank you Britton Fields!
I hope you get the idea.  Person after person in our church steps up and serves.  Laity volunteer and touch people's hearts.  Our staff is the greatest.  They continually find new ways to relate Christ to others.
But here are others who make a Senior Pastor feel great.  August was a time for "down time".  We even got clear out of town for a week.  Cindy is a great encourager.  She got me away from things for a bit and took me on hikes over mountains among other things.  We took walks.  We went to ballgames.  We also celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary.  Thanks Cindy Breon!
I am also thankful to our kids and their spouses who joined us in Colorado and have spent other days with us.  Thanks kids!
So hopefully you can see some of the things that make a Senior Pastor feel great.  I encourage you to think about those in your life who have a similar effect on you.
It's been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve

Reflections From Sunday Evening

Been off for a couple of weeks and much has happened.  Charlottesville has been on my mind each day.  I was in the mountains without connectivity when I first got a hint of what happened.  In the following days I read up on the events and also read many different opinions.  Frankly I don't have much to add but after reflecting thought it would be good to share a few things.
White supremacy, white nationalism, racism and violence are wrong.  These things are referred to as evil, wicked and something to be condemned.  But the worst word to describe these things is sin.  Let me try to illustrate.
A year or so ago I realized that the altitude in the Colorado mountains affects me negatively.  In preparation for our recent trip to Georgetown, Colorado I checked with an over the counter pharmacy.  They told me some things that would treat the symptoms of altitude sickness.  Ibuprofen for headache and something else for upset stomach - it was motion sickness stuff -.  They would treat symptoms but the doctor gave me a prescription that is meant to address the problem.  It worked pretty well.  I did not miss a meal on our trip!
I share that to lead to my witness regarding the ugly head of racism that is rising up yet again.  White supremacy and nationalism and racism are manifestations of sin.  We may condemn racist activity but until we find repentance we only work on the symptom.
I write as an Orthodox Christian who knows the redeeming power of faith in Jesus Christ.  I understand our human nature to be fallen from God's original intent and therefore deeply marred by sin.  I see our human efforts at self-redemption as fruitless.  But I do know the power of Jesus Christ to change lives.  Jesus speaks to the root of our issues, not merely the symptoms.
Even as I have thought about this I have an increasing appreciation for my progressive friends who are fearlessly leading the way to resist evil and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.  (That is right out of our baptism liturgy)  Protesting injustice and evil (I should say sin) moves us in the right direction.
I see an opportunity for Christians to come together and make a common witness to the Gospel.  Call attention to the issues.  Trust in Christ to change lives.  Be hopeful.
On another matter...
Cindy and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary Saturday.  Wow.  I am so grateful for the life God has been making all these years.  What joy.
On another matter...
Don't look directly at the sun tomorrow.
On another matter...
It was good to be in church this morning and worship from the congregation.  Jake blessed us with his preaching and Nancy truly ministered through prayer and serving.
On another matter...
Peter Babalian... We celebrated Peter's 90 years of life yesterday.  He will be missed but his witness lives on.
It's been a great day.  I trust you've had a great day as well.
steve